Self-playing musical instrument.



F. R. GOOLMAN. SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, 1908.

Patented'Aug. 31, 1909.

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F a e QVi/bneweo J is thrown PQR. GOOLMAN; SELF PLAYING MUSICALINSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, 1908.

' Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

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Fred R. oozman, wva l'I-tO t @3 1 hi? affoz 1101 9 90am I NITED STATESPATENT 5..

FFTCE FRED R. GOOL MAN, 0F BINGHAHTUN, NEW YORK.

SE LF PLikYING MUSICAL INSTRUME NT.

Specification ofLettez-s Patent.

Patented Aug. 3.1, 1909.

Application filed March 30,1908. Serial No. 424,121. I

ing Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification. A

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in self playingmusical instruments, and'more particularly to that type wherein aperforated note sheet is employed as the medium for determining therendition of the musical selections.

The invention has particularly todo with improved means for controllingthe travel of the note sheet so as to insure feed of the samecontinuously and evenly without slip-- ping relative to the sheet m vingmeans, so that the sheet will at all times move forward in a positivemanner.

feed of the sheet without slipping relative to the feed roll.

A further object is to rovide means of the character set forth whichwill be of such construction as to be readily adjustable for the purposeof regulating the feed of the sheet,.so that the latter may be moved andheld in more or less positive engagement with the feed roll over whichit travels.

To the above stated ends the invention, as embodied in thisspecification, includes a 'power driven feed roll arranged in engagementwith'the note sheet, an element arranged adjacent said roll, and wed ingmeans disposed-between said roll and e ement for bolding the note sheetin positive engagement with the feed roll.

I have fully and clearly illustrated my invention in the accompanyingdrawings to be taken as a part of this specification, and wherein:

Figure 1, is a view in perspective of a note sheet feeding andcontrolling means embodying my invention. Fig. 2, is a transversevertical section throughthe sheet feeding and controlling means. Fig. 3,is a view in front elevation of a self-playing instrument, such as apiano, showing the manner in which the sheet feeding and controllingmeans is associated therewith.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig. 3, by numerals and lettersof reference: A, designates a piano, which may be of any desired type orconstruction, the keyboard being indicated at 1', and the key-bottomat2. Upon the underside of the key-bottom, preferably adjacent the righthand end thereof, are disposed flanged plates 3, 3, withwhich slidablycooperate flanges 4, 4, secured upon the upper side ed es of a drawer 5,'the latter containing t e sheet feeding and controlli mechanism to bepresently described. eneath the drawer 5, is arranged a receptacle orpocket 6, which serves to hold that portion of the note sheet which isnot in actual engagement with the note selector and the feeding andcontrolling means. t

Referring toFig. 1, of the drawings, 7 designates a rectangular metalframe of roper dimensions, u on the upper sides of t e end members of wrich is supported a spool frame comprising end members 8, 8, in whichare journaled the pintles or gudgeons 9, 9, of the spaced note sheetrolls 10, 11, the latter being provided atone end with any suitablemeans through which connection may be made with any suitable sourceof'power for rotating said roll. For the purpose of this applicationthi's-connec'tio'n-is shown as consistin of a gear wheel 12. The s 001framemay detachabl-y held in place y any suitable means,

1 and as a simple manner of accomplishing this result, I provide the endmembers 8, 8,

with. transverse elements 13, over which engage shoulders 14, 14' oflugs 15, 15 secured to the frame 7 by means of screws 16, 16.

T, designates the tracker of the pneumatic playing mechanism whichmechanism is a part of the piano, and is so positioned that when thedrawer 5, containing the feed rolls is moved into 0 erative position forplay ing, said rolls vdil be disposed on opposite sides of the trackerwith their upper faces slightly above the under face 01' said trackerver which the note sheet moves. The note sheet is indicated at S, and asheretofore stated, is in the form of an endless band, arranged to travelover the rolls 10, 11, and beneath the under face of the tracker, and befolded back and forth within the receptacle 6, as shown in Fig. 1, ofthe drawings. In operation the sheet is drawn from the bottom of thepile of folds, moves over the roller 10, thence over the roller 11, andis folded up in said receptacle.

Arranged between the rolls 10, 11, and extending parallel therewith, isa bar 17, having thereon depending arms 18, 18, which support aresilient plate 19, the ed es of which engage the under faces of therolls and serve to steady the movement of the same and to prevent a toofree rotation.

All of the features above described are immaterial to the purposes of myresent inthe sheet perfectly flat and in full face conmaterial.

ried thereby, are urged towardthe roll 11, by

tact therewith, and to prevent turning of the ed es of the same.

ivotally mounted on the frame 7, preferably at a point below the rolls10, 11, as at 20, is a swinging frame comprising vertical end members21, 21, having journaled in their upper ends, as at 22, 22, a presserroll 23, of any suitable material and provided with rings 23, of rubber,felt, or other soft The frame andthe roller 23 carmeans of a spring 24,mounted at its lower end upon the frame 7, as at 25, and bearing at itsupper end upon a transverse member 26, connecting the vertical endmembers 21, 21. The force of the sprin against the frame may beincreased or riminished by means of a set screw 27, let through theframe 7, 'andbearing against said spring, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, ofthe drawings.

The lOll 23, is held out of contact with the roll 11, and for thispurpose means is provided for limiting the movement of the framecomprisin the vertical'end members '21, 21. A simp e means foraccomplishing this purpose consists of screws '27 27, threaded into thevertical members 21, 21, and projecting through slots or openings 23,28, 1n the frame 7, said screws carrying washers 29, 29, which engagethe frame to limit the movement of the frame carrying the roll 23, asindicated. These screws 27,

27 may also be employed for the purpose of retracting the roll 2?,against the force of the spring 24.

Mounteddoosely between the roll 23, and the roll 11, and arranged torevolve insurface contact therewith, is a wedging roll 30, consisting ofa cylindrical metal bar, which rests against the upper side face of thenote sheet roll, and against the rings 24, on the roll 23, said ringsserving to provide for the smooth turning of the wedging roll, and toprevent noise which-might be present were the rolls 23 and 30, permittedto travel in engagement with each other. The roll 30, is of a lengthsubstantially coextensive with the length of the roll 11, so that itholds the note sheet in positive engagement therewith throughout theentire width of the sheet.

It will be apparent that in the embodiment of theinven'tion illustrated,the roll 30, rests by gravity against the note sheet and roll 11, on oneside, and the roll 23 on the I other side, and that the lower theposition taken by said roll 30, the greater .will be the wedging actionthereof against the note sheet, and the more'for-cibly the sheet will bepressed against the roll 11. This wedging action is regulated at will byshifting the roll 23, toward and away from the roll 11, the closer saidrolls approximate each other, the

lessthe wed 'ing action will be, as the wedging roll will e disposedhigher up relative to the axes of the rolls 11, and 23, and is,therefore, not moved into engagement with the roll 11, as positively aswhen it is in a lower position.

While I have described .the wedging device and the means for adjustingthe same as being rolls I desire to positively state that my inventionis not to be limited to such forms as other'elements of different formerstructure may be. devised. for accomplishing the same objects, and stillfall within the intended scope of myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what i I claim and desire to secureby Letters Pataway from said roll, and a wedging roll supported by saidfeedroll and element, and act-.

ing to press the note sheet into engagement with said feed roll when thenote sheet is in playing position.

3. Ina mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, an element movable toward and away from saidroll, and a wedging roll resting of its own weight upon said feed rolland element, and acting to press the note sheet into engagement with thefeed roll when the note sheet is in playing position.

4. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, a roll movable toward and away from said feedroll, and a wedging roll supported by said feed roll and movable roll,and acting to press the note sheet into engage-. ment with the feed rollwhen the note sheet is in playing position.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, a roll movable toward and away from said feedTell, and a floating wedging roll supported by said feed roll andmovable roll, and acting to press the note sheet into engagement withthe feed roll when the note sheet is in playing position.

6. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, an element movable toward and away from the feedroll, a wedging device supported by the'feed roll and said element andengaging the feed roll to press the note sheet into engagement with saidfeed roll when the note sheet is in playing-position,

and means for regulating the wedgmg action of said wedg'ing device.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, an element movable toward and away from the feedroll, a wedging roll'supported by the feed roll and said element topress the note sheet into engagement with said feed roll when the notesheet is in playing position, and means for regulating the wedgingaction of said wed ing roll.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, an element movable toward and away from the feedroll, a wedging roll supported by said feed roll and element, and meansfor changing the position of the wedging roll to regulate the wedgingaction thereof.

9. In a mechanism of the characterv described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, an element located adjacent to but out of contactwith the feed roll, and a wedging element acting betweenthe feed rolland said first narned element to hold the note sheet in positiveengagement with-the feed roll when the note sheet is in playingposition.

10. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a cent he feed roll, awedging roll supported by said element inengagement with the feed roll to hold a note sheet in positiveengagement therewith when the note sheet is in playing position, andmeans to move the movable element to regulate the wedging action of saidwedging roll.

11. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, a frame movably mounted adjacent said roll, aroll journaled 011 said frame,

means for adjusting said frame toward and away from the feed roll, and afloating wedging roll sup orted by said feed roll and the roll on saidrame, and acting to hold the note sheet in positive engagement with thefeed roll when the note sheet is in playing position.

12. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, a frame movably mounted adjacent said roll, aroll journaled on said frame, a 5 ring for urging said frame toward thefee roll, means for limiting the movement of said frame, and a floatingwedging roll supported by said feed roll and the roll on said rame, andacting to hold the note sheet in positive engagement with the feed rollwhen the note sheet is in playing position.

13.'In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, a frame pivotally mounted adjacent said roll, aroll journaled on said frame, a s ring for urging said frame toward thefeed rol means for limiting the movement of said frame, and a floatingwedging roll supported by said feed roll and the roll on .saidirame, andacting to hold the note sheet in p si-tive engagement with the feed rollwhen the note sheet is in playing position.

14. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a feedroll for a note sheet, a roll mounted adjacent but out of contact withsaid feed roll, and having a re silient bearing surface, and a floatingwedging roll supported onsaid feed roll and said second-named roll, andacting to hold the note sheet in positive engagement with the feed rollWhen the note sheet is in playing position.

' 15. In a mechanism of the character dc- I scribed, the combinationwith an element over which a note sheet passes, of an element adjacentbut out of contact with said first named element, and a wedging elementact ing between said first-named and secondnamed element to hold thenote sheet in positive engagement with said first-named element when thenote sheet is in playing position.

16. In a mechanism of the character dehold the note in positiveengagement with 10 said first named element when the note sheet is inplaying position.

' In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. i FRED R. GOOLMAN.

sheet in engagement With the first-named element when the note sheet isin playing I position. i

17. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with anelement over which a note sheet is adapted to pass, of an elementadjacent said first named element and a Wedging element acting betweensaid first named and second named elements, to

0 Witnesses:

CHARLES F. TERHUNE, HARRY C. W ALKER.'

